[gg2929]

I am from New Jersey, currently going to school in Minnesota, and thinking about applying for jobs in Montana. I noticed that Montana does not require 150 to sit for the exam, only to get the certificate. I will have 150 when I graduate in May 2015.

My recruiting period will be in the fall of 2014.

I am considering taking a part or a few parts of the exam prior to my recruiting period. Naturally you would think that passing some of the CPA exam prior to your recruiting period would increase your chances of landing a job. While it is easy to think that, I really have no proof that it is true. I am wondering if anybody can give me some feedback regarding this. I want to make sure the investment has the potential to yield the results before I spend money on the study materials. How is this viewed by recruiters?

Is there any advice for applying for jobs when you do not have face-to-face contact with the recruiters? (I cannot be in Minnesota and Montana at the same time)

Also, if later in my career I want to move to a different state, is there any problem with retaking the test to fit that state’s criteria? I have no problem taking twice, even if I passed the first time. I just want to make sure it isn’t an issue and there aren’t any rules stopping/preventing that from happening.

Any advice and help would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

[dpad124]

I will answer your last question.

If you have your CPA and meet the requirements of the state you are moving to, you do not have to retake the exam. Just file to have your licence transferred.

If you have taken parts of the CPA in one state, but plan to work in another, you can request your scores to be transferred. This will work if you meet the requirements of the state you wish to transfer too.

You only have to take the exam once.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[dpad124]

I will answer your last question.

If you have your CPA and meet the requirements of the state you are moving to, you do not have to retake the exam. Just file to have your licence transferred.

If you have taken parts of the CPA in one state, but plan to work in another, you can request your scores to be transferred. This will work if you meet the requirements of the state you wish to transfer too.

You only have to take the exam once.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[Wolfchicken]

I think it helped me when applying for jobs after passing two sections of the exam. In fact I had four job offers. I don't think those offers were due entirely to having passed those sections but I do think it helps. I actually live in montana. My disclaimer would be that it is hard to find a job here. None of the firms in montana recruit in other states. There are no big 4 with the exception of a small KPMG office in Billings. There is one regional firm that is also in Billings. The rest of the firms are statewide or local. What area are you looking to live at? I live in Western MT. Although the job market here sucks, Montana is an awesome place to live with a lifestyle that you can't replace. If you have more questions about it I would love to help. Just let me know and I'll give you my email address.

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[Wolfchicken]

I think it helped me when applying for jobs after passing two sections of the exam. In fact I had four job offers. I don't think those offers were due entirely to having passed those sections but I do think it helps. I actually live in montana. My disclaimer would be that it is hard to find a job here. None of the firms in montana recruit in other states. There are no big 4 with the exception of a small KPMG office in Billings. There is one regional firm that is also in Billings. The rest of the firms are statewide or local. What area are you looking to live at? I live in Western MT. Although the job market here sucks, Montana is an awesome place to live with a lifestyle that you can't replace. If you have more questions about it I would love to help. Just let me know and I'll give you my email address.

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[gg2929]

Thanks Wolfchicken. I really appreciate the response. Is there any way I can private message you to get your email address? Thanks. I am new to this forum.

[gg2929]

Thanks Wolfchicken. I really appreciate the response. Is there any way I can private message you to get your email address? Thanks. I am new to this forum.

[mystical guy]

From my experience, the greatest concern for an Accounting graduate should be networking! I gotta tell you, passing 3 exams didn't make me any more attractive than a housefly in the bushes, no offense. I applied and applied and applied, but Big 4 firms take people who have strong referrals over inexperienced graduates who passed the CPA exam.

After almost 2 years of trying, I got my first interview with a Big 4 firm based on a referral.

Not trying to discourage you here, just trying to save you from investing too much on something I found to be almost useless at getting me entry-level jobs!

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

From my experience, the greatest concern for an Accounting graduate should be networking! I gotta tell you, passing 3 exams didn't make me any more attractive than a housefly in the bushes, no offense. I applied and applied and applied, but Big 4 firms take people who have strong referrals over inexperienced graduates who passed the CPA exam.

After almost 2 years of trying, I got my first interview with a Big 4 firm based on a referral.

Not trying to discourage you here, just trying to save you from investing too much on something I found to be almost useless at getting me entry-level jobs!

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[Wolfchicken]

@gg2929, sorry for the late response. I was out of the country for the past two weeks on vacation 🙂 You can email me at gigabits0206@hotmail.com if you would like to get more information or if I can help you out in anyway.

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[Wolfchicken]

@gg2929, sorry for the late response. I was out of the country for the past two weeks on vacation 🙂 You can email me at gigabits0206@hotmail.com if you would like to get more information or if I can help you out in anyway.

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[Author]

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